This week’s Torah portion (Vayishlach) begins with the words, vayishlach Ya’akov malachim – and Jacob sent messengers ahead of him (Gen. 32:4). These messengers (or angels, as it can also be translated) were sent out ahead of Jacob in preparation for his return. These messengers were given the responsibility of carrying a vital message of reconciliation and peace to a distant brother.
Luke 5 also speaks of the sending out of messengers who would carry a message of reconciliation and peace to distant listeners. And the message that these new messengers would bring would come from none other than the Messiah himself.
As Simon Peter and his partners, James and John, concluded an unproductive day of fishing, they found themselves in the midst of throngs of people. And at the center of this crowd was none other than the carpenter from the Galil, Yeshua. This quickly turned into an unordinary day for the three fishermen.
Upon concluding his message to the crowds, Yeshua miraculously enabled the three previously unsuccessful fishermen to catch more fish than they could possibly bring ashore. Astonished by the miracle Yeshua had just performed, the three rugged fishermen came to believe that Yeshua was indeed the long awaited Messiah. Recognizing the divine spark within them, Yeshua called them to a “new life of fishing.” A type of fishing that would rely on a divine message. And rather than remaining limited to the
Like the messengers sent forth by Jacob, these called out messengers heralded a message in preparation of Yeshua’s ultimate return. And they too were given the responsibility of declaring a message of reconciliation and peace to others.
We too have been called out as messengers. As followers of the Jewish Messiah, we have been chosen to bring this same message of hope and reconciliation to the nations of the world. Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach once said that our mission is to “leave the world more Jewish than we found it.” This means that we have a divine injunction to be a light that shines in a dark place. To bring our people a hope that surpasses all understanding. Yeshua is indeed the Messiah. And as such, we are meant to prepare for his glorious return.
Yes, it is an important parsha shavua. There is a good parallel with Besora Tova.
Too we read about a new name of Yakov - Israel. It is a wonderful name. We read in Torah there is name Yeshurun too. How many meaning are in these names! What is a great mission which we need to do: be or legoyim, kiruv to to our Jewish mishpacha with Besora Tova of Messiah Yeshua, be yashar etc.